At least one person has been confirmed dead and nine others injured after a shooting at a Mormon church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, United States.
Local police said the suspect, a 40-year-old man, drove his vehicle into the front entrance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before opening fire on worshippers with an assault rifle on Sunday.
Grand Blanc Township Police Chief, William Renye, told reporters that the attacker later died and that investigations suggest he also started the fire that engulfed the church building.
“There are multiple victims, and the shooter is down. There is no threat to the public at this time. The church is actively on fire,” the police department posted on Facebook, warning residents to avoid the area.
Emergency crews battled heavy flames as smoke billowed from the church while firefighters struggled to bring the fire under control. Authorities said they fear more victims could be found inside the burnt structure.
Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, condemned the attack, saying her heart was with the affected families. “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable,” she said.
US President Donald Trump described the incident as “horrendous” in a post on Truth Social, urging Americans to pray for the victims and their families.
The tragic shooting came barely a day after the death of Russell M. Nelson, the 101-year-old global leader of the Mormon church.
Grand Blanc, where the attack occurred, is a small township with about 7,700 residents, located nearly 100 kilometres northwest of Detroit.
